NEW YORK – For the second consecutive season, 21 members of the Columbia track and field team will compete at the 2013 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships East Preliminary Round this weekend. From May 23-25, the selected number of Columbia student-athletes will look to perform well among the best in the east region at the North Carolina A&T University.

The Lions had 11 women and 10 men earn spots at this year's NCAA Regional. The three days of competition will take place at Irwin Belk Track inside of Aggie Stadium and features the top athletes in the world, east of the Mississippi. Qualifying teams and individuals advance to the 2013 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Ore., on June 5-8, 2013.

All meet tickets for the 2013 NCAA Division I Track and Field East Preliminary Round are now on sale. Tickets are required for each day of competition. All seats are general admission. Will call orders may be picked up at the Sullivan Street ticket booths beginning on Thursday, May 23. Tickets can be purchased by calling the A&T ticket office at (336) 334-7749.

THE COLUMBIA WOMEN

Junior Marvellous Iheukwumere has earned her first trip to the NCAA East Regional in the women's 200m run. The reigning Ivy League Champion will compete alongside teamate and All-American Sharay Hale to represent the Liond in the sprints.

The Lions will be well represented in the distance events that will include 2013 Ivy League Champion Waverly Neer in the women's 5,000m. On one of the nation's biggest stages, seniors Erin Gillingham (1500m) and Mallory Anderson (Steeplechase) will look to cap their careers with top performances and junior Trina Bills will make her debut at the East Regional in the women's 800m run.

For the second straight season, Nadia Eke ranks among the best in the women's triple jump. In 2012, the sophomore had a sensational record-setting showing at the East Regional by clearing a Columbia record 13.32m. She went on to place eighth in the triple jump finals to earn USTFCCCA First-Team All-America honors in her rookie season.

Also on the field, North Carolina native Nnenna Okwara will compete in the women's hammer throw for the first time in her career at the east regional. Check out the Columbia women's schedule below:

All year long the Lions have compiled success in the men's distance events. Columbia is one of two schools (Wisconsin) to post NCAA Qualifiers in the five distance events including the 800m, 1,500m , steeplechase, 5,000m and 10,000m.

The Lions have qualified three student-athletes in the 800m run highlighted by the return of Harrison McFann in the event. In 2012, McFann took second in Heat 2 of the 800m quarterfinals and clocked in at 1:48.78 to earn a spot in the NCAA semifinals.

John Gregorek will look to build on a stellar junior season in the 3,000m steepleschase. Gregorek is coming off an Ivy League Championship performance in the event in which he clocked in with a winning time of 8:54.21.

Senior Mike Murphy enters the NCAA East Regional with one of the best qualifying times in the men's 10,000m. After crossing the finish line in a time of 29:03.33 at the Stanford Invitational, Murhpy currently holds the fourth best time in the region.

On the field, the 2013 Ivy League Champion Duncan Dickerson willl represent in the men's hammer throw this weekend. Check out the Columbia men's schedule below: